Catherine Of Aragon

I find Catherine of Aragon interesting. I thought that I would write about her. I hope this is interesting. Thanks for reading. Hugs: Megan

Catherine was the youngest child of Ferinand and Isabella of Spain. She was bethrothed at three years old to Arthur, the son of Henry VII for political reasons. I find this sad when a woman or man aren't even allowed to pick out their own mate.

When Catherine was 16, she made the journey to England to be with Arthur. She and Arthur were married at Old St. Paul's Cathedral in London on October 2, 1501. She was escorted by the groom's younger brother Henry. {She had no idea that she would be his first wife someday.}

Catherine and Arthur lived at Ludlow Castle on the Welsh Border. {It is still a famous castle today.} Less then six months after their marriage, Arthur died of "the sweating disease", it is believed. Even though this marriage was short, it was a very important part of history.

Catherine was now a widow. Henry still had a son Henry VIII who was in great health. The English King was interested in keeping Catherine's dowry, so she was betrothed to Henry VIII, another marriage against her will.

Henry VIII didn't marry Catherine till his father's death four years later. She was crowned Queen of England with her husband, the King on June 24, 1509.

Catherine wasn't married very long when she found herself pregnant. The first child was a stillborn daughter born prematurely. A year later, a baby boy was born and he was named Prince Henry but he died 52 days later. Catherine then had a miscarriage a few months later. Finally, Catherine gave birth to a daughter Mary and the child lived. It is believed that there were two more pregnancies, which resulted in miscarriages.

Henry was growing frustated due to lack of a male heir but he remained a devoted husband for awhile. He had two mistresses, Bessie Blount and Mary Bolelyn later on. In 1526, Henry seperated from Catherine because he had fallen in love with his new mistress Anne Bolelyn who was a sister of Mary, his former mistress has mentioned above.

Catherine was 42 by now and no longer able to conceive. Henry's main goal was to have a male heir. Having a daughter wasn't enough. Henry asked the Pope for an annulment.

Catherine was kept in the dark about Henry's plan.She was devasted when she found out. She went to the Pope to talk to him since her nephew was Charles V, the Holy Roman Emperor.

The political and legal debate went on for six years. Catherine claims that her first marriage to Arthur wasn't consummated because he was ill and that they weren't truly husband and wife. She also wanted to keep Mary, their daughter as well as the title of Queen.

Anne Boyelan became pregnant in 1533. Henry rejected the power of the Pope and had Thomas Cranmer grant him the annulment that he had wanted. Catherine renounced the title of Queen and was now the Princess Dowager of Wales. She refused to accept this title.

Catherine and her daughter were seperated and she was forced to leave court. She lived the next thre years in several dank and unhealthy castles with just a few servants. She accepted her fate and spent a lot of time in prayer. Henry had wanted her to become a Nun but she had refused to do so.

Catherine died at Kimbolton Castle and was buried at Peterbourough Abbey with the ceremony due for her position as Princess Dowager, not as a Queen of England. A sad end for a former Queen.